International security/ Flights of the Russian military aircraft

Yesterday FCO Permanent Under-Secretary Simon Fraser and I discussed Russian aircraft flights in the international airspace on 28 January.

The British side expressed concern over the fact that operations of Russian military aircraft allegedly caused disruption to the civil aviation in the area close to the UK-controlled airspace.

Western media coverage of this topic tends to focus on Russian military flights, omitting the fact that last year NATO military dramatically increased its airbourne missions along Russian borders. On 29 January British defence ministry spokesman answered a question on the UK Quick Reaction Alert aircraft launches in 2014. Contrary to some statements in media, official statistics show that Russia has not increased its military patrols in the Atlantic Ocean over the year.

Russian military flights: facts and myths